Macy's theft suspect identified

Man at large; theft, forgery, ID deception charges filed in court

Mark A. Douglas of Indianapolis reportedly earned himself a reputation at Macy's stores of being a "professional" at somehow obtaining cardholders' Social Security numbers to fraudulently purchase goods.

Now he faces criminal charges for doing it in Tippecanoe County.

Douglas, 25, was charged Wednesday in Tippecanoe Circuit Court with forgery, identity deception and two counts of theft.

As of Thursday afternoon, Douglas had not been booked into Tippecanoe County Jail.

The charges stem from an incident that took place May 2, 2012, at Macy's in Tippecanoe Mall.

According to a probable cause affidavit, a Macy's loss prevention officer told Lafayette police that Douglas has been suspected before of providing Social Security numbers and identification cards for active Macy's cardholders.

The ID cards would have the cardholders' names, but their pictures were someone who resembled Douglas. Having their Social Security number and ID cards bearing their names apparently allowed the suspect to charge merchandise to their accounts, the affidavit states.

On May 2, Douglas allegedly provided the Social Security number to an account holder from California. He purchased three vacuum cleaners, totalling $1,540.77.

The same man was later spotted at a Macy's in Terre Haute.

Police believe the suspect is Douglas because the man captured by surveillance video has a distinctive tattoo on his neck, similar to one visible on Douglas' Bureau of Motor Vehicles photo, the affidavit states.

- Sophia Voravong/svoravong@jconline.com

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Macy's theft suspect identified

Mark A. Douglas of Indianapolis reportedly earned himself a reputation at Macy's stores of being a 'professional' at somehow obtaining cardholders' social security numbers to fraudulently purchase